L. WAITERS, 62, FORMER TEACHER AND CIVIC LEADER IN DANIA

Loretha Waiters, 62, a teacher and civic leader who spent a lifetime working with children and serving her community in Dania, will be buried on Saturday.

Mrs. Waiters died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack.

At the time of her death, Mrs. Waiters was president of the Dania Economic Development Corp., which provides houses for residents who otherwise couldn't afford them, and as a member of the Dania Downtown Redevelopment Agency, which is improving Broward's oldest downtown area.

For 33 years Mrs. Waiters taught in Broward County elementary schools. After retiring in 1989 she volunteered in the Learn to Read program as a tutor and mentor in the schools and served on the advisory committee for Collins Elementary School in Dania.

Her goal as a teacher was to make a difference in the lives of boys and girls, said longtime friend Mildred Jones of Dania. "She made a difference to a lot of people, both young and old," Jones said. "She was an inspiration to all."

"She believed in volunteerism, community activism and not looking for someone to do something for you, and I think she lived her life like that," said Mrs. Waiters' daughter, Angela N. Waiters Mason of Upper Marlboro, Md.

Mrs. Waiters' late husband, Boisy Waiters, became the first black elected official in Broward County when he won a seat on the Dania City Commission in 1966.

Although Dania residents continue to refer to Mrs. Waiters as the wife of the first black elected in Broward, her accomplishments alone were legendary, Dania Vice Mayor Bobbie Grace said.

"She was a very involved person," Grace said. Mrs. Waiters served as vice chairwoman of the Dania Planning and Zoning Board, president of the Democratic Women's Club of Broward, director of the Boisy Waiters Democratic Club and member of various service organizations and sororities.

She also was a deacon, elder and president of the United Presbyterian Women's Association and member of the Ascension Peace Presbyterian Church.